The Ramblings of a Girl

...Too Many Kisses and I Don't Mean the Chocolate Kind...

2012-01-20T23:01:00.000-08:00

I know I know I haven't posted on here in a really long time... However I need a place to comment on my ramblings (hence the title of my blog) of reality TV. From American Idol to Project Runway and the Bachelor to Keeping up with all things Kardashian (notice how I group the talent with the non-talent... I think it's better that way)!
Tonight's post starts off the my rants and maybe a few raves on the BACHELOR... Let's face it we all want to stop watching this show but it sucks you in. I don't know how they do it but whatever they do maybe my gym should do it to! I've been watching this show from the time Ryan wrote that sweet Poem to Trista and have watched every episode in between... (well minus those two seasons when I had better things to do like serving a mission)! This season however is really bugging me and here is why...
1) the kissing.... seriously Ben can you slow it down? I mean I thought Jillian was a lip locking maniac but boy was I wrong...
2) the girls... normally I can find something I like about each girl but with this season I think they are all crazy rude! Let's start with Erica... Really saying that your thighs are smaller than Shantel's on national television, was that necessary I guess for you KARMA is a bugger! Next Elyse let's just say we got it you didn't think they new each other but they did! Get over it I am sorry that she interrupted your "date" but let's face it... it brought drama to the most DRAMATIC rose ceremony yet! Emily ok I really like her but boy oh boy does she have a potty mouth on her as does Rachel! Kacie B. and Lindzi are my favorites so far...
3) Lastly and certainly not least would be Courtney.... If you've watched the season you'll get what I mean. Seriously where did they find her and what the HECK does Ben see in her??? I'd take a hundred crazies from Utah allowing my state a bad name for the sake of Courtney being off the show! I have a feeling as the show goes forward there could be a lot more of my "ramblings" about Courtney!
I've read all the spoilers of the season and don't want to give to much away but if you want me too I can post my own subtle hints of what I've read!
Coming up NEXT on Ramblings... SO SO happy that Emily is the next Bachelorette!!
...until next time...

oh and PS I liked Shantel on Brad's season... don't get me wrong the whole laying on the table thing freaked me out but come on the girl has guts!! I wish Ben would have followed his heart!!

...girls weekend...

2011-05-18T10:10:00.001-07:00

...girls weekend what would you do without them...

...this is how Ashton spent her way to Boise...

...we dropped off Ashton and then checked into our hotel...
...we waited and waited for her too show-up...oh and the others too...
(don't mind the super bad picture of us)
...we did some serious shopping and ate at an interesting restaurant...
(hence the reason for the funny look on our faces)

...we then got dessert...which was the best part...
...can you guess what I took home for dessert...
...it was then time for wicked...
(feelings on that will be posted later)
...sassy girls are the best...
... can't wait for the show start...
(love the momma)
...did we mention we saw wicked...
...did we mention that grandma can take her teeth out...
(note the surprised look on our faces. look closely you can see her teeth)
...love these girls...
...oh wait I love these girls too...

...and this how Ashton spent her ride home...

...the end...

...color me cupcake...

2011-03-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

While at work I have time to surf the internet... I know I know you all want my job but really you don't! As of late I have become ADDICTED seriously ADDICTED to cooking blogs! I don't know what it is but I saw these bad boys and new I had to share! I am thinking of making them sometime...If you are wanting to try and make them yourself which I suggest you do here is the link www.ourbestbites.com/2009/05/colorburst-cupcakes/

When Momma Ain't Happy...

2010-09-30T09:42:00.001-07:00

iPhone... $99

Replacement iPhone $199

Remembering the lesson that when Momma Ain't Happy Nobody Happy... Priceless

I Simply Fell Out of Love...

2010-09-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

with blogging.

Just as when any relationship falters it's hard to pinpoint exactly

when the dissolution began.

It was a sad, lonely, sorrowful time.

Ignoring my blog but oh so faithfully looking at others.

Just as when any relationship falters you find joy in another.

Soon I will find joy in my blog...

If My Life Were A Movie....

2010-02-08T16:11:00.001-08:00

This last week has been so super crazy and to be honest I am tired of explaining everything. I figured those who matter read the blog and they will be able to sense my comic relief in what I am about to post! As the events have unfolded I have decided that I should make a movie. And if I were to make a movie who would play in it. Well I have found my cast! Of course some would have to change there hair but for the most part I think I did a pretty good job in my casting!

Joanna*- Scarlett Johansen (main character) The girl in love with two boys well really one boy and another a grown man. While she has deep and sincere feelings for both she just can't seem to make up her mind. She almost married Cal and really they are still engaged but she still deep down loves her high school boyfriend Kole. Oh and we must not forget Cal and Joanna have a baby together the cutest little one named Brylee. (side note the baby who would play "Brylee" would have to be Viviene Jolie-Pitt)

Cal*- Harry Connick JR (Grown Man) Cal a bull-fighter on the PRCA rodeo circuit feel in love in with Joanna the first time he saw her deep green eyes. Despite the 16 year age gap between them Cal wants to make it work. He ask Joanna to marry him the day after Christmas. He is so excited for there life together to really start. He is willing to stand by Joanna because he knows that her love for him is real and she has put closure to her and Kole.

Kole*- Liam Hemsworth (the boy)- Lets face it Kole is the lovable return missionary who you want to win but also know he deserves so much more. Not meant to be put in a bad way but take it how you want it. He too has loved Joanna since the moment he saw her deep green eyes. They had such an amazing time while they were in high school between dances and going home to Joanna's house with friends for the sausage and biscuit lunch that Carly (Joanna's Mom) had made them. He had dreams for the two of them once he got home but has come to realize that sometimes dreams fade and it's time for new ones to come about.

Carly- Kristen Alfonso (Joanna's Mom) She loves her daughter but is really getting tired of the all the drama, chasing cans, and being the rodeo babysitting grandma

Dane- Kevin Costner (Joanna's Dad) Dane has dreams for all of his children but Joanna's dream and his dream are one in the same and that is making it to the NFR. While he supports his daughter he doesn't always like her choices.

Jolie*- Lindsay Hartley (Joanna's older sister and writer of the movie) Jolie is the one in the family who is the most outspoken and sick and tired of all the drama...

*All names have been changed to protect the writer of this post!

Note of protection for the author of this post.... I really do love my sister... I will and do support her and all her drama but in all honestly I wish she would just freaking make her mind and stop with the it's not me it's everyone else.

It's Time...

2010-01-06T18:46:00.000-08:00

I know I know... I haven't been the greatest blogger but I promise it is a new years resolution! In order for me to be a better blogger I have decided to go private! I will do this starting MONDAY JANUARY 11th, 2010! So if you want to keep viewing leave an e-mail and I will invite you! Well maybe.... :)

Families are Forever

2009-11-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

You know when you go away to your first year of college you have no idea what to expect! Hundreds of ideas are running through your mind... did I take the right classes... did I buy the right things... can I really do this... but most importantly my ROOMMATES will I like them? Lucky for me I got put with four of the greatest ladies in this whole world! We had so much fun with each other as you can see by this picture and it is only one of many! Of course living with four other people that you don't know can have it's fair share of arguments but we knew how to work them out! What I love most about these ladies is even though it has been six years since we lived together we are still there for one another which brings to me to the reason for this post.
This is Mia even though I was a slacker and never got around to go and actually meet her my heart still breaks for her family. Brooke one of my roommates who is to the right of me in the above picture is her sweet little mommy! Mia passed away on Saturday night unexpectedly she really was too perfect for this crazy world we live in. Even though I know that Mia is with her Heavenly Father my heart is still sad for my dear friend Brooke her husband Adam and her sweet little boy Jake. If you would like to read the full story in Brooke's own words go to my family and friends link and click on The Brandt Clan. Here is a poem I found that someone had left on there blog I thought it was a perfect finish to this post!

Jesus is she with you? I wonder every day, I sit and wonder why she's gone and why she could not stay. Every Part of me is empty I feel I can't go on but then I look to heaven and hear this beautiful song "Mommy I am with Him He holds me in his arms Whenever I am with him he keeps me safe and warm He Says you shouldn't worry I am safe and loved right here with all the other baby angels that passed within the years we have a special Place up here He thought that you should know Where the Blessed mother takes your place for now until you show." When I hear this precious little voice from the heaven above I know that all the angels Are showering her with love. For everyone that wants to hear their babies voice so innocent and sweet just close your eyes and begin to pray and embrace them in your sleep-Angela Gibson-

Baby B

2009-10-18T21:23:00.001-07:00

Well Baby Brynlee was born today @ 8:15 she was 7lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long! She is super cute! It took all day for her to get here, Dad and Jordy came and got me and Jordy asked Dad to drive as slow as he could because it had already taken FOREVER! Well we went and got dinner and ate it in the car, mom called us right after she had the baby! We went in saw her and loved on her and went home! I will probably go back tomorrow after work.

The Monster Mash

2009-10-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!!! Remember to turn off my music so you can get the full effect!!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Ode to the 80's!

2009-09-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

Well as most of you know I am still one single gal! I was all fine and dandy with this until I realized that my prince charming lived in the 80's!! Do you think you can pick out my prince charming...

Still a Ute fan but I am one proud almost sister...

2009-09-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Crazy title don't ya think.... Well as most of you may or may not know Bryan Kariya is my little Brothers best friend! I love this kid and he is almost... almost making a BYU fan out of me but not quite I still bleed red but when "kid" is out on the field I can't help but being proud! He is a great kid (ok so he is not a kid anymore but to me he is)... but an even better football player. As long as Bryan is on the field I will cheer him on but the moment he steps off... it is bye bye Cougs! Good Job Bry Guy I hope you have a great season! This is just a little video I found on YouTube on Bry enjoy!!

Here is some stills... there are some great ones of Bry in the first to bad it talks to much about couger football after that but oh well what you gonna do!!

Time for an UPDATE...

2009-08-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

Here is just a preview of my crazy summer! I have been here there and everywhere and maybe just maybe I will get caught up on all of my blogging!! Sorry it has just been a long a crazy summer!

Lake Powell... oh how I love the memories

2009-06-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

WARNING LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES... but what else do you expect after a week in Lake Powell! Well another summer trip to Lake Powell has come and gone and my heart is ever so sad. I look forward to this trip every summer and love all of the traditions that come along with it. Such as 6:00 am meeting time in front of the house... stopping at McDonald's in Price for breakfast... waiting around for what seems forever to actually get the houseboat loaded... Going to Slick Rock canyon... Watching the dads and their early morning ski runs... Yummy breakfasts all week and then cereal on Saturday... and finally stopping at Stans in Hanksville for Lunch and waiting for what seems to be forever to actually get your yummy shakes. This week brought so much excitement and fun. But with six little kids on a boat what else do you expect I thought I would write down some of the funny things that were said by the kids and adults alike.
*"Stop I have a shield... Kisses are only for Sundays... Just remind Me" - Ashton
*"Hey Maddie my mom says to Hang Tight for just a Minute" - Jessy
*"When my Uncle comes Mormon you can marry him"- Bailey
*"You're like the boy who cried SHEEP." -Jordynn
*"I know where North is because of the SUN (as she proceeds to point up to the sky)." Jordynn
*"I was thinking oh my GOSH there is a couch in the road" -Ashton
Those are just some of the funny things that were said... I don't have the time to write down the laughing session which occurred Friday night at the expense of Rand and Jordynn. While it was a funny week it was also and eventful week... I mean I leave for a week and Micheal Jackson, Farrah Fawcet, and Ed McMahon all die plus SJP welcomes her twins... Boy do I have my gossip magazines to catch up on! This week also didn't go with out insult or injury but there was more injury then there was insult! Most of it happened in the Dunn family starting on Tuesday when Taylar stepped on what we think to be a fish bone and sliced open her foot resulting a trip to the Bullfrog Marina ER for six stitches. I think that is enough explanations it is now time for pictures and of course fun descriptions underneath all of them!

On Sunday we don't do much of anything Mike and Karra had taken most of the kids off to see some ruins so that left the adults to relax. Dad did the best job of it. See how clever he is to watch a movie on my iPod. Whoever said that belly's weren't useful are now proven wrong!
Mike and Scott had wake surf boards. If you are wondering what a wake surf is think surfing behind a boat! So of course everyone well almost everyone rode them! In box one is Parker next to him is my dad, then Scott in the bottom left and Mike (not using a rope) is next to him

Jake on the wake surf!

Well Mike was on the Wake surf and then he decided to hand it off to Parker... Seriously these boys and the things they do for fun... It scares me!

Jordy's first time trying the wake surf! She did it... Good Job JODYN!

Colter and his more wind blown look! So fun!

Being the whitey of the family Jake is really careful when it comes to the sun. Good thing he has Rachy to help him out!

These next couple of pictures are just us hanging out on the ski boats!

This is Ashton and Jessy they sure became the best of friends! They were so cute together. Not one fight all week! And for five year olds in close quarters that is saying something!

Last year this cave had a much bigger opening but with the water rising so much this is all that is left of it. But once you swim into it, it sure opens up out six or seven feet. It is super cool. However it took Maddie, Myself, and Jordynn and good five minutes to convince ourselves that it would be okay to swim in there. It was dark and we were scared of the FISH!

Miss and Jessey such cute friends!

The kids could not get enough of the TUBE! They loved it and more importantly we loved watching them tube. Those kids caught some air! However when it was time for the big kids turn the driver wasn't so nice! But all in all it was so much fun... WE LOVE THE TUBE!

Some of the kids wondering do we jump off this rock. Of course they send the youngest off first to test out the waters. As those of us on the boat we trying to coax Jordy into going first E-Man just jumped off the rock. Scared Brooke half to death.

More we love to go on the ski boat pictures!

With there being so many girls on the boat I think we counted about at least ten and that is not counting the moms... there was a lot of hair! So to keep it out of our faces Brooke, Maddy, or Myself braided it every night! Who wants hair in there face when they are trying to sleep not me thanks so much! Well Jordy felt that Taige looked left out so she did his hair for him!

Being there for a week you can run out of ice so here we are on an ice run! It is also a good time to get off the boat!

Being a return missionary you would think I would try and be a better example. Well not so much. The little girls where watching me shave my legs so I said how about I shave your legs. (of course I left the cap on I wouldn't really shave the legs of a five year old!) The girls where supposed to keep it a secret but they didn't. Well after we shaved our legs we decided it was time for some tattoos! Seriously maybe I should try and be a better influence!

Well after a week of fun it must come to an end which is always sad but it must happen. So here is our last day pictures... with great memories and great friends who wouldn't love LAKE POWELL. See you next year good friend!

you maybe wondering what is going on in these pictures.... well you relax your face and shake and have someone take a picture. They turn out pretty funny don't ya think!

Updates.... on the SUMMER

2009-06-28T18:19:00.001-07:00

No Harm EFY Provo 1 AShow Unto the World EFY Provo 2 A
Well the summer is off to full swing. Sorry I have been slacking in the blogging department but I have been so super busy. I am being a bad blogger and not posting all of my EFY pictures I am just posting the group pictures. EFY has been so much fun and I have had some pretty stinking good kids this summer and I have loved them all. Not to mention I have had some pretty amazing co counselors this summer. 2A was probably the best week for co counselors. But 2A was also a week for sickness it was crazy.
Lets see what else... Dallas left on his mission at the first of June. I have been busy getting things ready for the MRU pageant which happens in July and not to mention I just got back from a glorious week at Lake Powell... pictures to come soon from that!
Saturday brings my favorite holiday of the year the 4th of July... LOVE IT. I am headed up to the Lake just before I head out for two more weeks of EFY.
YAY for SUMMER!

Pre-School Graduation

2009-06-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

Well after many days of practice and a whole year of teaching and learning the songs! It was time to say good-bye to my students. It was really hard for me to do! I loved them all so much, they made my first year of teaching so much fun! I have loved all of their personalities and how much fun they were! I am seriously going to miss them but I am also looking forward to next years batch of wonderful kids! Miss Jessica leading the music. I think we were singing I'm a little Tea-Pot!Here are some of the kids in my afternoon class!

Brooke and Ashton after graduation

Some of my morning class!

Ashton and me!

Dark Horse takes AI crown!

2009-05-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a little shout out to my boy KRIS! I was so happy that he won that I jumped up and down and up and down! I couldn't stand Adam sure he could sing but he could also scream and the way he held his mouth and and stuck out his tongue just reminded me of Gene Simmons and that crap needs to be left alone! YAY Kris I can't wait until his album. It isn't true what they say anymore this nice guy finished FIRST!

Bear Lake with the Girls!

2009-05-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

Well we girls decided that we needed to take a step back from Layton and head up to Bear Lake for the night! We left on Saturday afternoon and made it back in time for CHURCH! Pretty much I made some good time! Of course you can't have a girls weekend with out documenting it with some pretty amazing pictures! FYI just don't mind the way I look in these pictures. I had been up since SIX A.M. working at the Temple... I think that some of the funnest pictures are found when one is driving in the car if you don't believe me look for yourself... most of these were done while I was singing... "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" By Taylor Swift... take a look for yourself!

After we got to the cabin and started a pretty competitive game of RACKO we took a walk down to the Lake! It was such a good time! Callie decided to walk into the water so CRAZY! Jen however though she saw the Bear Lake Monster I don't know take a look at the last picture to see if you believe her....

A Cowboy Birthday

2009-05-07T09:47:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday it was my dad's birthday! He turned 49! I started it off by going in and decorating his office! I had over a dozen balloons and a poster that said...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD... don't worry you're only at the top of the hill next year.... YOU'LL BE OVER THE HILL! I also brought him and the guys in the office in doughnuts. All of us kids went in on a present a ticket to the EAGLES concert which is on SATURDAY. Don't worry he is not going by himself we got my mom one for Mother's day. Seriously such good kids! Later that night we met up with the Thackers. Kevins birthday is well today actually so Happy Birthday Kevin! We went to Texas Roadhouse (so yummy) to celebrate! They make you sit on a saddle and tell the whole restaurant it is your birthday! Of course we had to capture the moment! Dad acting like he is a saddle bronc rider!
Kevin he really isn't into rough stock events! He just sits there like he is waiting for the timer to start!

Mom and Dad... I now know where J.D. gets it from... Jake pulls the same face!!

Kevin and Merilee

The Kids... in the top photo it goes Chy, Challis, Dallas, Me, Jenna and Jordynn. In the bottom photo are Jake and Rachael! Colton didn't want to come and Sage was still at Cheer practice!

All in all it was a great night! Hope everyone had fun! I just LOVE birthdays, I think they are the greatest... It is a whole day just to celebrate YOU! Who wouldn't love it!!

Best Quote on Women

2009-05-05T00:23:00.000-07:00

I got this quote in an e-mail today... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!“No matter what you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of s#!+.”

A great and wonderful Weekend!

2009-04-26T18:43:00.001-07:00

My weekend started early... I had tickets to Thursday nights Jazz game and it was probably the best night EVER! Jazz WON, it was pretty much the greatest night ever. I realized that you really can cry because you are so happy! Something really cool was that I ended up on the jumbotron, all because of my AMAZING GREAT DANCE SKILLS! It was crazy because on the way out two men got in a huge fight it was CRAZY! I thought I was going to get attacked because I was so CLOSE to them. It was crazy. MY VIEW OF THE GAME! Section 13 Row 25...
WE WON!! YAY YAY YAY

Jen and I at the game!! YAY

On Friday night I went up to Logan and had a good night visiting some old friends! It was so good to see Kristine, Brooke and Mel... it was sad because Meg couldn't get off work. These girls were my roommates while I was up in Logan. We had way to much fun catching up. Brooke brought her little boy Jake and it was so fun to him. He is such a cute little boy!!

Kristine, Jake, Brooke, Mel and Me

After I went to Logan I drove down to Provo to have some fun with some old mission friends! All in all it was a tiring weekend but it was fun being able to see everyone again!

HAPPY EASTER

2009-04-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

I hope that you all had a happy Easter. I love this message because it truly is what Easter is about.

Quick Trip and no I don't mean the QT...

2009-04-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

It sure is nice having great parents who will buy you a plane ticket so you can go to Arizona for a funeral! On Sunday Edith this wondrful woman that I taught(see previous post) passed away. I was able to go to her funeral. I left Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday was the craziest day ever. I got up finished packing went to school, gave my speech, finished an assignment, went to my last class, left it early, went to mom and dads had Jordy take me to the airport... got picked up from the airport went straight to a viewing, and then it was to Nap and Anges for some great times and much needed rest!! The funeral was Wednesday which was ironic because that was also Edith's birthday! I was asked to speak at the funeral which was a little nerve racking!! But it went okay! While in AZ I was able to meet Edith's two daughters Tina and Darlene. I was so happy to meet them, Edith talked about them all the time. They are not members of the church and they were able to see how much good the church had done for their mother. I hope that one day they are able to see that great goodness partake in their own lives. But for now I plan on staying in touch with them and adding them to my collection of great friends!! After the funeral Sister Johnson took me to go and see where the new Phoenix Temple is going to be built!! Right now it doesn't look like much just dirt and some cacti but I know that when it is finished it is going to be BEAUTIFUL!! Here is the sight I just couldn't resist taking a picture!! I sure look forward to the day when I can go through the Open House!!! CLAIFICATION... I don't really know if this is the site where the Temple is going to be it is only one of those MORMON SPECULATIONS... however it would be the perfect spot because it is right next to a chapel!!! It will be somewhere in this general area!!!

On Wednesday night I was able to go out to dinner with DJ... Chirstine... and BABY CADEN!! I was so excited to see them. I love this family so much and to know that now they have this sweet little boy that they can teach the GOSPEL too just makes me smile even wider!! He is such a sweet baby!! We went to dinner and the best place I think I have even eaten ok maybe not but seriously the hamburger I ate was probably the best one I have ever eaten!!

Thursday I had to go home. I was sad to leave but grateful for the time I had to spend with those I had grown to love through the service I gave. Nap and Ange took me to the airport we checked my bag got some lunch and then I had to run to my gate!! I got there in time. My plane left at 12:10 oh I was walking through security at like 11:55 ya nothing like pushing it to the last minute but when you only get to see them a couple of times you want to stay as long as possible. Plus I am not a huge fan of waiting in the airport!!

Nap and "JW"

Ang and "JW"

Oh so HAPPY!!

Sweet Edith

2009-04-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night I got this feeling that something just wasn't right. I called my mom and asked her if everything was all right, she said it was so I just shrugged it off. On Friday when I went on my lunch break I noticed I had a missed call from a number in AZ I checked my voicemail and it was from a sister in Sun City. She told me about my dear friend Edith who I taught while I was on my mission. She told me that Edith had a stroke and wasn't expected to make it. I love this lady with all my heart! It makes me happy to know that she made the choice to join the church and that when she does pass away I know that I will see her again. I am flying out there on Tuesday after school in case she does pass away. So that I can be there for the funeral. I love this lady so much!

EDIT: Sweet Edith passed away this morning while watching conference. That is true Edith style. She would have been 86 on April 8th which is ironic because that is when it will be her funeral!

JAZZ VS SUNS

2009-03-30T16:21:00.001-07:00

Well on Saturday night I had tickets to the JAZZ game!! They were playing the SUNS so in honor of that I took one of my friends from my mission Thomas Simon to the game with me! It was so much fun! The game went into over time and we won! Plus not to mention being in good company is always good time and oh did I mention I saw Kyle Korver and yelled GO KYLE WHOO WHOO!! Ya I know I am wierd but I love Korver even if he does pick little leafs off of his samlon and hands them back to his waitress. Long story ask me about it some time! This was my YAY we are going into overtime picture!!
This is Thomas's YAY we are going into overtime picture! I think mine is much cuter so that is why I posted it!!

Thomas was in charge of taking the pictures so I made sure to tell him to get a picture of Korver for me! And being the good friend that he is; he did what he was told!

LIFE OFF... GAME ON

I guess these pictures are out of order but oh well it is still fun to see them!

Catalina Island

2009-03-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was our first full day on the cruise! We stopped at Catalina Island, Brooke and I decided that it was too pretty of day to be walking around an island when we could be laying out by the pool! It was so nice Brooke met lots of drunk college boys while I had some good quality time with the sun. It was all a win/win situation! That night it was the Captains dinner so we got to get all dolled up and have a really yummy dinner! Then it was off to a night of dancing! Brooke by the pool
Me by the pool!

Just waiting to go into dinner!

Even though she can really tick me off! Are we not just the cutest best of friends ha ha!!

Ensenada, Mexico

2009-03-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well we are two days into the trip and we have stopped at Ensenada, Mexico. For Brooke's Birthday I told her I would pay for any excursion that she wanted (with in reason of course!). She decided that she wanted to go to wine country so we did! It was beautiful out there. After that we ate lunch at one of the best places ever. I have no idea what it was called but it was sure YUMMY! We then walked around Ensenada and back to our ship! It was sure a fun day.This was outside on the pier. There is a place called Hannah Banana and this is the logo!

On the bus going to Wine Country

Behind us are of the vineyards! There are LOADS of them!

A Fun Day At Sea

2009-03-22T23:07:00.001-07:00

Well I woke up that morning wanting to really get a tan but couldn't get Brooke out of bed to SAVE my life. So I decided that it was my vacation too and I was going to get some sun which I did if you look at the picture! After I laid for oh like six hours (don't worry I kept hydrated) I decided that I wanted a massage so I went and got one. Man was I productive! When I went back to the room at 6:30 Brooke was still asleep! I woke her lazy butt we got ready for dinner and then headed out to a comedy show! It was a great time.

As promised here is rexy just relaxin in the cabin. She didn't get out too much this trip but I think she did have a good time!!

Here she is again just lookin out the Window into the ocean. Wishing she could go swimming!

DISNEYLAND

2009-03-22T22:30:00.001-07:00

Well after the cruise we decided that we were going to go to Disneyland! We got off the boat I lost Brooke to customs and finally after tracking her down we got a taxi over the hotel. Which was a very nice hotel by the way. While riding in our taxi we noticed that some man with a lot of time on his hands picked the "P" off of the sentence which was on the glass. A simple sentence telling the customer "All passengers ride for the price of one" now reads "All assengers ride for the rice of one." Ok it was super funny! I was kind of sad because space mountain broke while we were standing in line and also the Matterhorn was down. How sad. Here we are getting ready to go in to Disneyland!!Here we are on the Jungle Cruise. You would think that after being on a boat for five days we would have chosen a ride that didn't involve a boat!

The tea-cups you have to love the tea-cups especially when they are pink. It was kind of sad we beat some poor little girl to the pink one.

Here I am on some ride that involves me in a rocket ship high off the ground!

Brookie in her rocket ship!

The Indiana Jones ride! Love it Brooke had never been on it.

After being at Disneyland all day we went and walked around Downtown Disney and then decided that we were going to walk back to our hotel which was a mile away! By the time we got back to our hotel all we wanted was to sit in the hot tub. But oh no it was closed to. So we settled on soaking our very tired feet in the tub! I really love the picture of Brooke and I above we really were so tired!

Here are the tired feet! Can you guess which feet belong to which friend.... J/K

Fashion District and LAX

2009-03-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

It is coming to the end of our fun journey! Saturday morning Brooke's sister Sherri picked us up from our Hotel and we did some serious shopping for not so much money. I mean I spent like $150 and I got three pairs of shoes and pair of shoes for Ashton two pairs of earrings and necklace and earring set, a purse, two other earrings, two hats, and some random other things. I mean that is the place to go! Well we got tired of shopping and so Sherri took us to the airport like three hours early. Which was a good thing because our terminal was in the BFE ok not really but it just seemed like it. So here we are waiting to board our plane! You can see the headphones and magazines were a must!

The Many Travels of Rexy

2009-03-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

Rexy the Bunny Well a long time ago Brooke and I went to Mexico. We decided that it would be fun to take my stuffed bunny Rexy along with is. So in true fashion and also to keep up with tradition Rexy is coming with us on our cruise. She truly is the only friend who can fit in my suit case and not complain about how cramped it is. When we went to Mexico she actually sat with me on the plane but not this time I think I am getting a little too old for that. Look back next week to see how Rexy's travels went. Maybe I will even do a blast from the past and show some of Rexy's pictures from Mexico!

How to Host A Mystery and a side note...

2009-02-14T11:38:00.000-08:00

In honor of it being Friday the 13th some friends and I got together and had a How to Host A Mystery party it was so much fun! It was one where the whole town was being turned into bats! Brooke and I are the ones who guessed the vampire culprit in the end! Everyone thought that it was Jacob's character because he was so weird but nope it was Jen's! Back Row (l-r): Juan Stephan LeGrave(Connor), Anita Tai-Pai(Jen), Dwayne Denartary(Tim), Frida Evertin(Callie) Front Row (l-r): Killian Killagan(Eric), Robin O'Positive(Brooke), Howie Bledsoe(Jacob), and Jackelyn Hyde(Me)!

Here are those crazy boys so getting into character! Love it...

Here they are again...

Just us girls!!

Brooke and Jacob. Brookes character was a DR so Jacob is trying to use her stethoscope on her!

Connor and Me. Are two characters were an item but after he stood me up I broke up with him. Connors character was a weak sad little thing, while my character was a body building party all the time wild-one!

Jackie and Robin

I love these girls so much!

Strike a pose

Brooke and I

After the game we all just hung out and played sing star! I recommend it! It is so much fun! Here are Connor and Tim belting it out to some song!

Brooke still in character by the way this was not a posed picture!

It is the end of the night and here are me Jen!

Ok for the side note part... Last week I was at Target. I was walking out while a little boy and his mom were walking in. The little boy says to him mom... "Mom I love you" his mom replies "thanks I love you too" the little boy goes on to say this... "Valentines Day is all about love" this must be the reason that I am boycotting this blasted holiday that is only used to make corporate America money. But if you are celebrating it with some one you love I hope that you have a GREAT DAY!

How Old Are You...

2009-02-10T21:52:00.000-08:00

I don't if I have ever mentioned that I think my job is pretty great! Well yesterday one of my cute little girls walks in and she is just sobbing I want my momma. I pick her up and I try to console her telling her that it is going to be okay! With that not working I try to tell her what a big girl she is and that big girls go to pre-school and act so tuff. Well with that not working I say in a silly voice Makenzie how old you? She replies I AM ZERO. So pretty much I started to laugh so then she started to laugh! So I want you to remember that whenever things aren't going your way and you just need to cry even if it is over something so little! CRY it is okay and if someone asks how old you just tell them you are ZERO!

Three Years

2009-02-08T16:02:00.001-08:00

I know I know this is a lot of pictures but today is the three year anniversary from when my parents dropped me off at the MTC and I embarked on a journey of a lifetime. In this collage are pictures of different people I met and fell in love with while serving my mission. Some are members who took really good care of me and others are some I taught and were baptized. I love them all and I am hoping that they are all doing well. I sure need to go and visit them. I do miss them!

Going on a CRUISE!!!

2009-02-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

So I have been dying to just get out of UTAH! I love UTAH but lets face it the winters here are just no fun! I told my mom that I was going on VACATION for Spring Break, her only concern was who was going to go with me. I decided that if I couldn't find anyone I would go by myself! Well my brestest friend Brooke decided that she would come with me. We decided on just going to L.A. and just hanging out! Well we found a great deal on a cruise. So as of March 9th we are checking out or should I say sailing out of our busy lives for the whole week! We are going on a Baja Mexico Cruise which includes Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico! We are so excited we got a great deal and once we worked it out we realized that we would save money this way!! I am just so excited and I can't wait! Now I must hurry and get my passport!!

A NEW BLOG...

2009-01-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

Hey there, so I started a new blog I hope you all check it out. Please pass it along to all your friends! The address is http://www.healthyrwe.blogspot.com/ Just check it out and give me feedback:)

Jake & Rachael's Wedding

2009-01-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

J.D. & Rach got married back in November had a reception in December so its only fitting that I post pictures in January! Sorry about the whole Copyright thing across the front. But it is still fun to look at! Hope you enjoy!

The Happy Couple!

Their Amazing Cake! (Made by my cousin Steven)

Just the girls: It goes Renae (Rachaels not such a nice person of a sister), Jordy, Rach, Me, and Jenna

Who's going to be next...

The girls again! The photographer counted to three and told us to pose!

Jake and some of his buddies. Bry couldn't be there cause he was playing in the Las Vegas bowl with the BYU football team.

Just the four of us...

The family!

Our other family!

Need a Laugh...

2009-01-21T17:21:00.001-08:00

I got this in an email today! I thought it was pretty funny!

A first grade girl handed in the drawing below for a homework assignment.

After it was graded and the child brought it home, she returned to school the next day with the following note:

Dear Ms. Davis, I want to be very clear on my child's illustration. It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint. I work at Home Depot and had commented to my daughter how much money we made in the recent snowstorm. This photo is of me selling a shovel. Mrs. Harrington

I hope this made you laugh just like it made me laugh! It is now back to homework!

In Honor...

2009-01-19T19:27:00.003-08:00

I am taking a public speaking class and I have to give my first speech this week. It is a commemorative speech. I had no idea what I was going to talk on. Well my WONDERFUL sister-in-law suggested that I do it on Kyle Korver. Because I know so much about him! He really is a good guy and has done so much for the communities in which he has played. If anyone knows anything else about him I would appreciate the help! Well in doing my research I found this photo of him. Ok I have been going to the gym but NEVER will I be able to do anything like this Holy batballs that just looks like NO fun. I believe this is why he is in the NBA and I just sit and watch him! It really is better that way!

My new Haircut!

2009-01-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

Sorry that this is the 2nd post of the day however my bestest friend wanted to see my new haircut so I am posting it just for her! I was tired of the same old thing every day. So I decided to add some bangs and some layers (just like the Rachel haircut from FRIENDS however mine is modern or should I say updated) and here you have it! This is just for you Brookie!

The Best of 2008

2009-01-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Well I saw this on a friends blog (thanks Kara Dunn) and so I decided to steal the idea. So instead of doing my grateful Sunday I am doing Best of 2008 in pictures. Because I am at time mentally challenged. I am going #1 - #10 mostly because I don't want to erase the pictures and start all over. I hope you enjoy! #1 Meeting Kyle Korver in the Airport on our way to NYC!

#2 Going to NYC, some of the Church History Sites, and also to Niagara Falls.

#3 Going to Ohio to visit Kara, Scott, and the boys and being able to go to Kirtland!

#4 Going to Lake Powell for the first time since the mish!

#5 Being able to have these adorable kids in my life

#6 Having JD return home from his Mission!

#7 The first Bear Lake trip of the Season

#8 JD and Rachael getting married.

#9 EFY!

#10 Watching Jenna be the best Miss Rodeo Utah ever and then becoming a MISS RODEO NOTHING.

Grateful Sunday # 10

2008-12-28T22:16:00.000-08:00

Today I am grateful for a very great week! On Friday December 19th Jake and Rachael had there wedding reception. Which GMA and GPA Schick came down for. (That is how I got so many pictures they took them!) As soon as I get the pictures from that Hazens took I will post them. After that of course we had Christmas. On Christmas Eve we kept with the tradition of going caroling with the whole neighborhood. I didn't get any pictures though because I almost got left because I was late getting home from work. (That I am not to grateful for, working on Christmas Eve no bueno!) After caroling we came home had breakfast watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, and then Jordynn and I stayed up and watched the Grinch and had a sleepover in my room. Until 4:00 a.m. when Jordynn just couldn't sleep any longer! It was then time for Christmas and oh what fun presents we all got! I got a bike! I am excited for the snow to go away so that I can ride it! I hope everyone had a Great Christmas and wish you all A Happy New Year!

P.S. this is my one hundredth post YAY! I personally like the picture of me sleeping in the middle of the floor I was so tired and no I was in no room I just feel right asleep in the middle of the walk way!

Grateful Sunday # 9

2008-12-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

It is this time of year that we all find so much to be grateful for. Today I want to share an experience I had at church. The speaker was talking and she made an AMAZING point. She said do we realize what really happened that day when Jesus Christ was born. Do we realize that the Savior of the World was born that day the one who has power to truly make us free. I don't think I truly realized that. Or maybe I have and just haven't realized it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so amazing and I am so grateful for it and also so grateful for the birth of my Savior. I hope that you all can reflect on that fact this time of year is truly a time of hope because without the birth of the Savior we wouldn't have anything to hope for. Merry Christmas.

Grateful Sunday # 8

2008-12-13T23:12:00.000-08:00

Well here it is Sunday again and I have slacked off my duties of my Grateful Sunday posts! As I have thought a lot about what it is I have to be grateful for I realized I have a lot to be grateful for. However I would like to share that I am grateful to come from the great state of Utah. I recently over heard someone while I was in Vegas who said that "Utah was never enough" to hear that it made me upset. I am so proud to be from Utah. I am so proud of the heritage that it holds. To know what was sacrificed to get here and to make this state what it is. I know that to a lot of people Utah is all about the "Mormons" but it is just part of who we are. Look at all the great people that came from Utah... Loretta Young, Rosanne (not sure how great she is but hey we'll take it), Steve Young, Willard Marriott, Jon Huntsman, SheDasiy, The OSMONDS, Collen Hutchins, Sharlene Wells Hawks (both former Miss Americas), Jill Stevens, Mary Shaw Drake(former Miss Rodeo America), Blue Stone, Louie Fields, and Tom Chambers. Those are just to name a few. I am grateful to be from Utah and always will be it may be freaking freezing but I wouldn't have it any other way. We all need to be proud of where we came from and realize that yes it is enough. Also remember "Come What May and Love It" That is a shout out to my dear friend Elder Wirthlin thanks for the Great Advice.

Our Chirstmas Card

2008-12-13T10:34:00.001-08:00

Does everyone else think that Christmas cards can bring drama? Well I do, however I would love to thank a friend of mine Jessica Mandile from Arizona (I served in her ward when I was a missionary) for putting up with us Whitaker folk and for putting together this great Christmas card. We decided to do it of pictures of us throughout the year along with a story to go with it. Let me know what you think of it. This is still a rough draft we need to change one picture but I wanted to get input!

A Visit to the North Pole

2008-12-09T19:33:00.000-08:00

This weekend us sisters decided to go and have a sisters weekend! We looked at flights and a trip to the North Pole was not very expensive. We decided that would help us get into the Christmas Spirit! While we were visiting we got invited to a old fashioned barn dance! It was so much fun. We even dressed up like the elves. Who were super nice by the way... Ok so this is a total joke! Go to www.elfyourself.com and you can upload a video as well! Enjoy! Just remember to pause my music on the left!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

My Birthday!

2008-12-01T15:54:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was my birthday and what a great day it was! I got up and got my birthday dinner made. My mom helped so no worries I didn't make my own dinner. I then got ready for church and I taught my Sunday school lesson (which went really well - I love my calling)! After I got home Brooke and Trev and the kids came over along with the other Brooke! I am so grateful for such good friends and family! I got so many presents as you can see! From my mom and dad I got a new purse (which wasn't here yet so my mom made a copy of it!) and a wallet to match and a some shoes! From Jordynn I got the DS game personal trainer cooking it is the coolest thing ever it has recipes from all over the world and it talks to you as your cooking telling you what ingredients to use. It also makes a shopping list for you. Ya pretty amazing. From Jenna I got the new Juicy Couture perfume called Viva La Juicy. It smells so good. From Brooke Trev and the kids I got a gift certificate to Layne Bryant and from Brooke I got a picture and some Christmas decorations! All my great loot!

Brooke and I

Me and the kids

Blowing out my "dessert" it wasn't cake it was a very yummy trifle. It has brownies, pecans, caramel, and whipped cream! Ya it is sinfully good and oh so fattening!

Miss and Me

Me and the kids again

The Perfect Man...

2008-11-25T16:42:00.000-08:00

Today after work I decided that I would go and see TWILIGHT. I went by myself bad mistake cause I seriously needed someone to hold my hand every time this lovely "immortals" face came into view. It really got me thinking could there ever be anyone like Edward. Ok I don't mean like in the VAMPIRE sense. But really someone so caring, loving, and someone who sacrifices so much for the one that he loves. I have my doubts but if you don't let me know! I am really staring to give up on the "decent" guy. It is my belief that they only exist in the movies. P.S: This poster is in Italian. However who could ever deny the beauty of that FACE!!

Grateful Sunday # 7

2008-11-23T18:38:00.000-08:00

Ok so this Grateful Sunday is going to be very very random! I hope that you are ready for this. This first thing that I am grateful for is that I finally got my computer to upload pictures. For some reason it wouldn't upload my pictures from the Carrie Underwood Concert so I skipped that post. Oh well it was a good time and she is AMAZING live! The second thing that I am grateful for is that my blog is now up-to-date! YAY. This may be the second blog of the day but at least I have added Disney on Ice, and I posted a grateful Sunday on a SUNDAY! The third thing that I am grateful for is... I HAVE A NEW SISTER! No no my mom did not have a baby (if she did then she would have some explaining to do)! What I mean is that JD and Rachael got married on Friday. The reception is not until December 19th. The ceremony was small and it was held at Bear Lake. If any of you are confused by this just don't be. I don't want to explain anything just know that if it could have been any other way it would have. And NO ONE did anything WRONG. I had a picture posted of Rachael but I somehow deleted it. I will post wedding pictures sometime this week. Back to Rachael she is a great girl and an AMAZING addition to this CRAZY family. Along with the pictures I will tell you all how they met! The last thing that I am grateful for is my BELLA!

This is a picture of her when she was a puppy. She is still a puppy however she doesn't look like it. Yesterday my mom went out there and we think she was having a seizure. It scared us all to do death! Bella is so fun. She knows my car and she won't leave my side if I let her out and I am out there. She always wants to be in your business cause she thinks that it is hers! It can really drive you crazy but she really is my best friend! She doesn't care what I look like or how I am. All she cares about is that I pet her everyday and feed. The sad thing about this is even if I don't (which I have never forgotten) she will still love me anyway. I guess I should get a picture of her now that she is bigger but she is real dirty! Maybe if I give her a bath I will get a picture! In case any of you are wondering NO I did not name her Bella because of the book Twilight! The story of her name is quite interesting maybe one day I will share!

Do You Believe in Magic...

2008-11-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

Call me brave or call me crazy whatever suits best for you! Last week I took Ethan, Ashton, and Tylee (Ashtons friend and one of my students) to Disney on Ice. Jordynn was supposed to go with me but she couldn't so Dallas went with me instead. I don't think I could have handled it with out him. It was pretty fun the theme was "100 Years of Magic". There where a lot of characters there. To name a few there were Minnie and Mickey of course! Along with their normal crew (Donald, Daisy, Goofy...), Aladdin and his posse, Beauty and the Beast, Nemo and his friends, Mulan, ALL of the Disney Princesses, The Incredibles, Woody, Buzz, and Jesse, Pinocchio, Its a Small World, and the Lion King. I don't think I missed any but if I did I bet the pictures show it!

We got this picture taken before the show started! It was a pretty cute set up!

Grateful Sunday # 6

2008-11-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

Again I am a day late but what are you going to do about it! I was thinking about what to write and this is what I decided on. I am grateful for Thanksgiving! As I have walked around in the mall and driven in my car I have noticed that Santa is there and that Christmas music is in the air. It truly makes my heart sad that we seem to just roll over this great holiday. I am grateful for the Pilgrims and the Indians. For one it gives me something to teach my pre-schoolers about but it also helped me to appreciate my own learning experiences. I think that everyone should just stop and smell the turkey and as soon as its done with lets bring on Christmas!

GRATEFUL SUNDAY # 5

2008-11-10T20:04:00.001-08:00

Sorry that I am a day late but better late than never right? I am grateful for WONDERFUL SURPRISES! On Friday I got home from work and it had been one of those days when you have everything planned and then it doesn't happen. Plus my cute little pre-schoolers were on one! I walked through the door and noticed a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the counter. I was wondering who these where for and my name was on the card! It was pretty AMAZING! So I am grateful for wonderful surprises! So I encourage everyone who reads this to go out and surprise someone with something wonderful! Whether it be a phone call to someone you haven't talked to, a hug to someone who needs it, or whatever you think! You never know whose day you could make! I know that my day was made better simply because of these flowers!

Happy Halloween

2008-11-06T19:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween. I know I am just about a week late on posting these. Hey better late than never right! Halloween this year was super fun! On Wednesday we had our pre-school Halloween party. I made my cute little goblins (students) witches brew for a Halloween treat. I got mini bottles of sprite, glued Halloween paper to the outside of them and then attached a label. It was either Goblin Grog, Witches Brew, or Swamp Cider. I told my little goblins how a witch named Heckabee came to my house and dropped these off for them. I also played the song witches brew and told them that it was Heckabee's dad singing it as he was making it. The goblins got kind of grossed out and didn't want to drink it so I had to tell them that Witches Brew kind of tastes like sprite! For the Halloween party I dressed up as Hannah Montana. Oh it was all sorts of awful but the goblins liked it so that was all that mattered. On Thursday (the day before Halloween) Jake came down and Rachael came over so we all stayed up late carving pumpkins. We got a little more creative this year than usual. It was way fun though! Hope y'all had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The treats I made for my classes!
My afternoon class along with the aides.

My morning class along with the morning aides!

Carving our Pumpkins! Dads was the trick or treat pumpkin! Jakes is the one beind it. Mine was the witch however she got in a small fight with her broom and her eye got hurt. (ok so really I accidently pushed it to hard and it broke! But the broom story sounds so much better)!

Grateful Sunday # 4

2008-11-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Last night I was reminded how grateful I am for my little buddy Ethan. We went to the Jazz game and on the way there I was telling him how high our seats were(seriously you couldn't get any higher; as you can see there is cement behind us). He replied to me "its ok Jessa, the higher you are the better you can see. When he said that I was so happy that I can call myself Ethans "Aunt". He is always reminding me that there is more to life! He is so full of it. As we were walking to the car last night I asked him what was his favorite part of the game. His response was getting my Boozer arm bands and my popcorn. I wish all of you could have a chance to get to know my little E-Man he is seriously the sweetest seven year old I know. (Don't get me wrong he has his devilish moments!)

PLAY DATE

2008-10-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday I took Ashton and her friend from school Tylee(I am her teacher) to the mall. Our first stop was the gumball machines! After that we went to the Teddy Bear Shop where they each got to make a critter! The next stop on our agenda was the nail salon so they could each get their nails painted and then we topped it off with a ice cream cone from Dairy Queen. I asked Ashton if I could have a bite of hers and she replied if you wanted one you should have gotten one. I said oh come on just a bite. She replied you choose a drink so that is what you get. Wonder where she gets that attitude! Ashton and Tylee as we are staring our journey!

We stopped by Gymboree so that I could be in a picture with the two of them. (note to self bangs are not a good idea!)

Here they are stuffing the critters. Ashton choose a black cat and Tylee chose a purple bear.

Cleaning up the critters!

The finished products. Tylee's was dressed in a yellow sun outfit. While Ashton went with a Wedding motif. Go figure. Its not like everyone around her is getting married!

Tylee getting her nails done!

Ashton's turn!

GRATEFUL SUNDAY # 3

2008-10-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well it is yet another Sunday and I have been wondering what to post about. I have a number of things on my mind but the one that sticks out is my pre-school class. I am so grateful for my job. I learn something new everyday from one of those kids. Most of the days I just laugh and laugh it is really hard to not let some of the kids see me laughing cause some of the things they say are innocent yet to an adult mind its another story. Here are some examples of what I hear on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, basis!
"Miss Jessica, I lost my handcuffs but I found them. They were in my mom and dad's bed."
me: "Jacob why did you start cutting when I asked you not to?"
Jacob: "sorry my ears aren't hearing very good"
(Caleb walks out of the class with no pants on I respond go pull up your pants)
Calebs response: But Miss Jessica I need you to wipe me see (as he proceeds to bend over to show me that he went you know)
One day I asked my afternoon class to be quiet. One little girl told me that "we don't need you and we don't need school" I say well okay a couple kids say "Miss Jessica we need you" I say no Ellie says you don't so I guess I will leave. (I walk out the door and I can hear them saying WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?) Well they open the door and say Miss Jessica come back we need you. They were quiet for about the next five minutes.
This is my personal favorite. William and Makenzie sit across from each other. Makenzie can't stand William and is always telling me how much she doesn't like him she also tattles on him EVERY second she gets. Well one day we were cutting and I hear Makenzie scream I look over and William has her hair in his scissors. I say William what are you doing. He replies in great distress I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. And really you can't blame him!
As you can see I have many a stories to share and many more where this came from. These kids are making me excited to be a mom but they are also a GREAT use of Birth Control! Wish me luck this week is going to be CRAZY they are all so excited for Halloween!!
Look back on Wednesday for pictures of our Halloween party they are going to be GREAT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2008-10-25T19:18:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday Dear Blog! Happy Birthday to you! So this is probably the cheesiest thing ever posted on my site (or maybe not)! I can't believe how much I can post in a year! It has been a good one and here is to another!

Grateful Sunday # 2

2008-10-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

First off I must state that some of these pictures are very old! As this Sunday has came I have been wondering what to put for my grateful Sunday #2. Yesterday it hit me. I am so grateful for my best friend Brooke. She has a boyfriend and is so busy at work. I have three jobs and school so needless to say we are both busy. But yesterday we went to Salt Lake went to a movie and shopped and talked girl talk! It is so great knowing that I have a best friend who I can count on for anything. We have been friends since we were seven and we are now 24! Can you believe it 17 years of being best friends. So friend here is to you! Thanks for the good times! You know putting stockings on our heads to go and get icicles, dancing in my room the c.d. player skipping and me being rushed to the hospital! Oh we have been through it all together; bad relationships, matching sweaters, and some really hard moments but together we made it through! So that is my grateful Sunday #2. Brooke I am grateful for YOU!

Down on the Farm!

2008-10-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

While Brooke and Trev decided go and play hunter (ok so they really weren't playing Brooke actually shot a moose!) I got to watch the kids today! Jordynn took them out to ride horses while I was cleaning out the kennels. Ethan of course helped me so that he could earn a marshmallow gun! I was a very fun morning! Miss holding the lead rope for Cookie!
Waiting ever so patiently for her turn!
E-Man cleaning Bella's kennel
Riding Cookie!
He's a PRO!
Your next "2024" Miss Rodeo Utah

GRATEFUL SUNDAY # 1

2008-10-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

I have seen this on my friends blog for the last five months and I thought that it was time to start doing it myself! (Thanks Mel for the idea!). The idea of this blog is to name something you are grateful for and to post that every Sunday. It is something that I look forward to reading on Mel's blog every Monday it really gives me strength for the coming week and helps me find things to be grateful for. So here I go starting it myself.
For my first Grateful Sunday post I want to start with what I am most grateful for, and that is our Savior. I have been going through this trial in my life and last week I was just sick of hurting and so in my prayers I decided to tell Heavenly Father that he just couldn't possibly know how I am feeling. I was quickly chastised with this thought which came with so much force to my heart. It said in not these exact words "how could you think that I don't know how you feel?" It was in that dark moment that I was reminded that our Savior does know how we feel. He feels it all with us everyday. We are never alone we will always have a great friend in him. One who truly knows everything about us and can truly comfort us without saying a word. I am so GRATEFUL for my Savior with out him I would truly be nothing. But because of him I can be EVERYTHING. As I was reading a book last night I was reminded of a song which says:

And when I think that God his Son not Sparing

Sent Him to die I scarce can take it in

That on the Cross my burden gladly baring

He bled and died to take away my sin

That is why I am so GRATEFUL for my Savior. I can't imagine the pain that he went through and I can't imagine what life would be life if he didn't. The only thing that I can imagine is that day when I can tell him how grateful I am for that sacrifice. I love Him so much and will always be so GRATEFUL to him.

Kids Say The Darndest Things...

2008-10-07T20:18:00.001-07:00

This evening I was ever so lucky to go to Ashton's soccer game! It was great and she scored two or three goals! After the game and Ethan's practice we went to the Firehouse for dinner! As we were waiting to get into the car I was showing Ethan how we can the planets Jupiter and Venus (I take an Astronmy class). Well Ashton pipes up "you see that... thats a half a moon"! I just about wet my pants it was so funny. I love that little girl so much she always keeps us laughing!

My Wonderful Weekend!

2008-10-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

Who ever imagined I could top my last weekend! Well it has been done! On Friday night I went to my Mission Reunion and I was able to see some really great friends! Not to mention I was able to see my Mission President! I got home from Provo it was about ELEVEN. Well I got ready for bed jumped in the car and drove 2 and half hours to Bear Lake to find out that.... J.D. and Rachael got engaged. Ok I already knew that J.D. was going to ask her but she could have said NO!! They are getting married on December 19th in the Bountiful Temple!

What a Weekend

2008-09-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

Well I had quite the weekend! It started off by meeting my cousins kids at 5:00 so that I could babysit them! I guess they read the previous post! Well we had quite the time that night at Chuck E' Cheese (I guess I should say now that I had them from Friday until Sunday). I was so mad not only did I forget my camera but I forgot my phone as well so there were no pictures of our adventure to chuck e' cheese. We got home at about 8:50ish then it was time for jammies, and teeth brushing. The kids didn't like me too much cause I made them brush there teeth the funny thing about this is that there mom is a dental hygienist. Go figure! Well they watched t.v. I did homework and then it was time for bed! Well the next day we spent at a soccer game. Earlier in the morning my friend called me and asked if I wanted to go to the General Relief Society Meeting. So I found a baby-sitter for the kids I was baby-sitting and I went. It was AMAZING when the Prophet walked it in was absolutely incredible it makes me really excited for Conference this weekend! After the meeting I went and got the kiddos and then it was off to bed. To only be woken up at 5:00 in the morning by a screaming seven year old because it wasn't feeling well. It was at that moment that realized single parenting is not for me. All in all it was a good time. I finally got Conner back to sleep and myself as well! I also realized that if anyone is wanting kids but doesn't have the resources for it at the moment baby-sit and you will have curbed your craving! Its cheaper than birth-control!

This picture is of me and my friend Brooke on the top of the Conference Center just after the meeting! (if I am being honest I don't really like my hair what do you think. I just got it cut.)

My Newest Job....

2008-09-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago my cousin called and asked if I could babysit his two kids while he and my dad went up to the shooting range. I of course said yes because these two are just to cute to pass up! I didn't have a camera handy but I had my trusty cell phone! We started the night out by jumping on the tramp when Jessica got tired of chasing Whitaker around (I had to make sure he didn't fall through the springs I might get fired!). We went inside and "pretended" to ride a horse. Jenna's MRU saddle(really its a trophy because you would think you use a saddle but it just sits in our kitchen but that is for another post!) is on a saw horse type of a deal so we had to pretend that it was a horse. And a good horse it was it didn't buck the kiddos off and it even stayed still long enough for me to take a picture! After that little adventure it was on to watching Cinderella two(Jade is a princess in the making) and making cookies. As you can tell Jade really liked the cookie dough!
After the cookies were done baking it was time to decorate them. Jade asked that we have PINK frosting so we made spider cookies with pink frosting, licorice legs, and chocolate chip eyes!
And here is our finished product! I think that it was successful don't ya think!
Well you can only make so many spider cookies before you need to call the "bug guy" aka the trainer at the gym! So we did the next best thing it was back to the tramp and then we went and started our own marching band and marched up and down my neighborhood playing as many pretend instruments that we could think of! It was a very fun night!

TAG....

2008-09-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Cara so I guess to not be labeled LAME! I will follow the rules! The rules of the game are... To Post the rules at the begging of your tag which is to list 3 JOYS, 3 FEARS, 3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS, & lastly to list 3 FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF. Then TAG 5 people at the end of your post and let them know you tagged them by leaving them a comment on their blog! Have fun.

3 JOYS
1)The Gospel
2)My Family
3)Kyle Korver

3 FEARS
1)That school will never end
2)Not finding that "SPECIAL" Someone
3)SNAKES (totally terrified spot one and I am shaken in my shoes)

3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS
1)Blogging
2)One Tree Hill
3)Kyle Korver (is it bad to have him on here TWICE...)

3 FACTS ABOUT MYSELF
1)I am a return missionary
2)I love my job (I teach pre-school need I say more)
3)I am not a morning person in fact I am not much of a night person either

That wasn't so bad and in return I am tagging Andrea, Mel, Kara F., Brooke, and Stacey

Okay so I forgot something

2008-09-17T20:17:00.001-07:00

You are probably all wondering why I have just posted a picture of a dead mouse. Well I forgot to add this to my Labor Day post. In the middle of the night Brooke had gotten hot so she opened the window. It was about 8:00 (or earlier) in the morning they heard this shuffling noise coming from the window Brooke noticed it was a mouse and wanted to show Ashton. They waited for her to wake up and when she did the noise had stopped. Well Brooke was wondering were the mouse had gone when she pulled up the blinds it fell onto her head. I was upstairs in my room which is just above the room they were staying when I heard this screaming(I don't blame her do you?). I guess Brooke had cleared the bed and there was the little mouse sitting on the window sill just shaken! Trev said if it could talk it would have said "Oh my mom warned me about these crazy humans"! Well Trev ran upstairs to get something to catch it and in that process it died. I think it had a heart-attack. I mean its not everyday you fall into a humans head and live to talk about it! Trev threw it outside and I caught Ashton throwing rocks at it! R.I.P. mouse friend it was fun while it lasted. (ok maybe not so much fun for Brooke but it sure makes a good post)

Labor Day... I know I am a little behind!

2008-09-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well I hope everyone had a great Labor Day! We went up to the cabin and had a LOVELY time. Mom, Jordy, and I drove up Friday afternoon stopping in Evanstan to get some groceries. Brooke, Trev, and the kids joined us later on that evening. When they got there Ashton had to inform us all that her dad hit a bird, a bat(which wrapped itself around the antenna), and he almost hit a deer(the truck went screeeechhhhhhhhh)! Well even later that evening J.D. and his (I say its a girlfriend) friend joined us as well. The next day Rand and Maddie decided to grace us with there presence as well!
Ashton saw that I had my camera on Saturday morning and she just loves to take pictures of EVERYTHING seriously, I edited almost all of them but these were some classic shots that I had to post of my budding photographer! Next Ethan had to have a turn. I think he will be a Picasso of photography. Just look at the pictures he has taken...
Yep he likes to hold the camera upside down to take his pictures, very interesting I know but that is what we love about our E-Man.
On Sunday I was making rolls and Sis just had to help me. She had FLOUR EVERYWHERE! She did a pretty good job at folding the rolls. Brooke had to have pictures of her. It was fairly early in the morning that is why I look so lovely.

Well we were going to go up and hike the caves but it was a 2 1/2 hour wait so we decided to hike to a little pond instead. It was not the hike we were looking for it took us all of three minutes and were there. It was sure pretty though! The Gold Family
Me, Sis, and Jordynn (mom had already gone home and J.D. and Rachael were at church)
Madison and Rand

I love Bear Lake and Labor Day is always a sad time for me because it means the summer days at Bear Lake are over however here come the Winter Days at Bear Lake they are not as sunny but we make them equally as enjoyable.

POLITICS

2008-09-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

Ok so to be honest I don't know a thing about Politics. I guess I should start doing some research! I do know however that this was pretty funny! ENJOY

The City that Never Sleeps... seriously I don't think it does!

2008-09-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well I know that this is the moment that everyone has been waiting for!! I just want to warn you if you have not already I would go to the bathroom, get a drink and if your hungry maybe something to eat cause there is a LOAD of pictures! But I promise it is all worth it.

We left for New York on August 14th the plane was supposed to leave at 4:50 p.m. my dad didn't get home from work until 3:50 p.m.! Ya we were stressed however our plane was late and we ended up not leaving SLC until 6:30 which means we didn't get into NYC until almost 1:00 in the morning. We were all so tired! Dad, Mom, and Me on the airplane!
Jordy, Jenna, and JD.
So on Friday night we had tickets to the Phantom of the Opera. It was really good. However it started to rain as we were walking to the theater. We didn't have umbrellas so we hid under a store front pondering this dilemma. When some man walked by selling umbrellas we bought four and let the boys suffer. However J.D. couldn't take it anymore so he found another man selling umbrellas bought one and we continued on our journey. Well we finally made it to the theater with one wet dad. Mom bought him a sweatshirt from the "gift shop" she was cold so she bought herself one. Well we really looked like tourists because here are parents were walking down Times Square hand in hand with matching Phantom of the Opera sweatshirts on. Oh did I mention that the Phantoms face glows in the dark! Ha Ha

Here we are waiting to get seated at the Hard Rock Cafe in NYC!
TIMES SQUARE!!!
The girls and one of New York's Finest! Jenna asked him to pretend like he was arresting her. But he couldn't do that!
This guy was AMAZING. He was just seating there singing away!
Me, Dad(wearing his Phantom sweatshirt), and Jordy on the subway!

CENTRAL PARK
Here we are in front of something that was in some movie. I just can't remember what it is or what movie it was in!
Look familiar... It should it is the fountain from FRIENDS!
This guy and one of his friends peddled their hearts out as they showed us around Central Park!
Here we are in our Pedi-Taxi's! Yes we really fit three in one! It was CRAZY!

Dad and his girls at the Top of the Rockefeller Center!
Mom and Jake
The view from the Top of the Rock!
This was probably the best Ice Cream I have ever eatin! And to think that we bought from a man selling it outside of a truck!

In front of the American Girl Doll Store!
The Hudson River is our back drop!
The view from our Tour Boat on the Hudson!
This picture says it all. After touring all day long and walking, walking, and doing some more walking we finally caught a bus back to the city. J.D. took this opportunity to take a nap!
Land of the Free.... Home of the Brave

Pictures from inside/outside of the Statue of Liberty Museum
The girls at the top of the Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island
This was probably one of my favorite stops of the trip! It was the World Trade Center Museum. It was a very special place!

Ok so after five days touring the city we headed upstate to visit Church History sites and also go to Niagara Falls. It was a long drive which I had to drive the whole way. But we made it there in one piece and very quickly! At the beginning of the day I never thought we were going to make it there cause dad started to freak out because we had brought to much stuff and couldn't fit in the rental car!
Here we are in the same room that the Angel Moroni came to Joseph Smith! It had an amazing feeling.
The girls in front of the Sacred Grove

Pictures taken in and around the Sacred Grove and the Smith Family Farm
In front of a statue of the First Vision
The Grandin Building. This is where the Book of Mormon was printed for the first time!
The Peter Whitmere Farm
The Family in front of the Whitmere home

The Hill Cumorah
Ok so this picture s really funny. We were trying to take a girls picture but when we looked closely in the background we noticed that the boys popped out of behind the monument to be in the picture as well.
The FALLS!
We had just rode Maid of the Mist. We got soaked!
At the Cave of the Winds

Mom and Dad
Dad doesn't he look goofy!
Jenna and Jordynn conquered the Hurricane deck!
Looks like we survived the Caves!
Here are the cute shoes that we had to where to go and hike the caves!

Well after two hours of putting the post together it is all done! I hope that you all enjoyed reading this post and looking at all of the pictures! Sorry it took so long to get them all posted!

oh my its KYLE KORVER!

2008-08-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

Ok so whoever says that dreams come true at Disneyland has never been to the Salt Lake International Airport! On Thursday August 14th we were flying out to New York! While we were waiting to go through security I noticed this VERY ATTRACTIVE guy standing behind us. I could only see his profile and I did notice that he was very tall. Well all of a sudden he looked at me face on and my jaw felt to the GROUND. All I could say was ohmyitskylekorver. Yes I know that is one long word but I seriously said it without taking a breath. I was in SHOCK. I have never just seen a Jazz basketball player out and about; let alone at the airport. Well we waited for him to pass through security and then my mom asked him if we could get our picture taken with him. He said yes and then he smiled and then my heart melted like butter when left out in the car on a Arizona summer day. Ya it melted that fast. It was a great start to a great trip. I have LOADS of pictures to go through and two blogs to put them on. So... be patient and in time I will share all of the fun things that we did!

NEW YORK HERE WE COME!

2008-08-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

Well the time has finally come we are headed to New York! Check back in a couple of weeks for great pictures! We are going to be in the city for 5 days. We are going to do some shopping, Broadway attending, and Manhattan Temple sessioning! After those 5 days we are headed upstate to go visit some Church sites and also Niagara Falls! I am so excited!

EFY SESSION 10 A -SHALL KNOW-

2008-08-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

Well I hope that you all are ready for LOADS of pictures. This is no joke! I have finally gotten around to updating the blog with my last session of EFY! Every session was great but there was just something so WONDERFUL and AMAZING about this session I can't even describe it! My girls (I had TEN) were WONDERFUL I loved everyone of them so much! Everyone got along and there was no complaining and wonderful goals that we set and accomplished. It truly was a great way to end my summer job! I can't wait until next year to do it all over! This is Brother and Sister Knowlton. They are both from Kaysville! YAY. Brother Knowlton said that you can't take a picture of a personality so it doesn't really matter what you look like in a picture! He was a great session director and I learned so MUCH from him and his wife!
The company Shall Know! Our company name comes from the scripture John 7:17. We had a total of 30 youth. There were twenty girls and ten guys. I loved them all!
This is Jess Thayne and me Jess Whitaker! She is a great counselor! Not to mention she also has a great name. We were in the same B.C. group during session 7A and it got a little confusing so for that week I became Jessa to everyone!

The EFY Roller Coaster! During EFY sometimes you have to wait for awhile so games have been invented to keep the kids occupied! The picture above is proof of that! The youth had a great time with this one! There is also the race car and Eric D. Stokes even made up an Indiana Jones one!
Games night is always so much fun. This year we played Noah's Arc, Tree/Log/Bridge, Pioneer Trail, Tunnel Run, and of course the ever anticipated Cheer Off!
Pizza night is a great way to end games night. This is the night that true bonding takes place! There is all sorts of girl talk that goes on it is amazing what these girls have already been through and they are only between the ages of 14-15! I guess now is a good time to tell the names of my girls that way even I won't forget them. On the couches going left to right we have Kenzie, Emilee, Kelsie, Samy, Maddie, Rachel, Kacy. And on the floor we have Megan, ME, Cattie, and Ashlyn!
SERVICE we love SERVICE! This year we made hats for babies! It was loads of fun and the youth were really good at it. Well OK some struggled but at least they tried right! The rule of thumb was to keep it LOOSE!

Here we all are on the annual taking of pictures right before the banquet! It is a fun way to end the week!
The co-co's! It is always interesting to see the personalities of the counselors that you get put with. Some you enjoy others you wish would just take a hike! But it is all good! Derrick and Tina were wonderful! I love the bottom two pictures you seriously are so tired by the end of the week that all you want to do is just crash!
Here is the final Business meeting of the week! They wanted me to where my David Archuletta shirt! This shows some major hometown PRIDE! In the pictures are Sarah (she was a counselor in my b.c. group), then there is Megan Fillmore she was the coordinator for the A team, then Katie and Cara are in the bottom two pictures. Katie was my b.c. my last week and Cara was my b.c. my second week!
This is the end I told there was a lot of pictures! This picture is a true showing of just how tired one gets during EFY however you never let the YOUTH see it! This week is all about them and showing them just how wonderful the Gospel is! Do you like the dark circles under my EYES! Hope you enjoyed this!

BREAKING DAWN IS HERE!

2008-08-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

Well it is here and gone! I have already read it and put it away! For those of you who are still reading FINISH it. It is absolutely amazing. I am the only person in my family who is done with it. It is so hard because I can't tell anyone about it. All I can say is that I never imagined it would end like this! LOVE IT!

ALMOST

2008-07-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ok so I know this is the forth post of the night! I just wanted to say that I am sorry for being such a bad blogger! With being at the Lake, EFY, and Miss Rodeo Utah it has been hard to keep it up! I have one more thing to add but I will do that tomorrow! It is a funny story so you all with have something to look forward to!

AND THE CROWN IS PASSED ON!

2008-07-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

This last week was the Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant. It was a week filled with highs and lows! On Monday was a luncheon that was fun! The whole family was there. This has not happened since Jenna won because JD was on the Mish! That night we went to the Rodeo that was fun, Tuesday was SPEECHES and this is NOT my favorite part of the week. But none the less I went to support Jenna! On Wednesday was the Fashion Show and that was so COOL! That night again we went to the Rodeo it was Tough Enough to Wear Pink so it was pretty fun to be at that! Then came Thursday, this day was filled with mixed emotion. It really was a bitter sweet time for the whole Whitaker clan as we now have no more Queens in the house. All in all we are really proud of Jenna for a job well done as our Miss Rodeo Utah 2007!

BEAR LAKE

2008-07-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Over July 16- July 20th Brooke, the kids, and some friends all went up to the Cabin in Bear Lake. I LOVE THIS PLACE and I am so happy that we have it in our family! Some day who knows when I can't wait to take my own little family up there and make great memories like the ones we made on this trip. Some of our memories are:
~Me singing to Ethan "HEY HEY YOU YOU I DON'T LIKE YOUR GIRLFRIEND" and him plugging his EARS! PLEADING with me to STOP SINGING!
~Me, Nicole, and Brooke taking off in the Rhino after the kids went to sleep (no worries it was all ok)!
~Ethan being so EXCITED that he got his own WAKE BOARD!
~Jordynn and Chelsea's mermaid
~Asthon saying mom I got to go potty, Brooke replied go in the lake, Ashton says no mom I got to go poop, Brooke says come here, Ashton starts crying and Ethan says uh Mom "Miss just pooped her pants"!
~Playing hand and foot, eating Doritos, garlic green olives, and making Trev not want to talk to ANYONE of us. Lets just say we all had a bad case of gas!

~Watching the little kids play all day in the sand!
~Staying down at the beach from 10:30 - 6:30 for two days in a row!
~Last but not least getting sun burnt on Day 1 and then getting FRIED on Day 2!
There certainly were a lot of memories that were made! Bear Lake is one of my favorites places to go!

AMERICAN IDOL CONCERT

2008-07-25T21:06:00.001-07:00

We all know how much I love AMERICAN IDOL and this year I loved it even more. My favorites were Jason, David A., and David C. I loved watching it every Tuesday and dreaded every Wednesday(elimination night)! Well this year we went to the American Idol Concert. It was the top ten! I loved every minute of it! Sage and Merilee Thacker went with me and my mom. It was a rockin good time! Here are Micheal Johns, Carly Smithson, Jason Castro and Brooke White!
David Archuletta (UTAH HOME GROWN!), David Cook, some of the Top Ten, All of the Top Ten!
Sage and Me, Me and Jason Castro, Me and David Cook, The girls (Sage, Me, Mom, and Merilee)

EFY 7A "BEING FULL"

2008-07-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

So I know that I have already posted something but I am trying to get caught up! I feel that I am so behind on everything!
Well another session of EFY has come and gone. This one was AMAZING it was the ASL accommodated session. I loved just watching the interrupters and listening to the speakers. It was such a testimony builder! I LOVE EFY!! I took so many pictures this time I hope that you enjoy them all!
Here is my group! They were all such great youth. They were ages 14-15! Such a fun age group!

My CO-CO's!! Here are me, Josh, and Hayley. I love this first picture this is us in our "NATURAL HABITAT. Josh and I were originally counselors and our third co got sick so they brought in Hayley and she was GREAT! We all had a blast together. Poor Josh being the only boy he got beat up on by me and Hayley. But he was a good sport!

Here are our AMAZING YOUTH!!
MY BEAUTIFUL GIRLS! I loved them all so much.
Here are me and the boys! They are such great examples to me! I love them all too death!!

Counselor friends! In the 3rd picture is Dan Pawlowski. He was my AP on my mission so CRAZY! He is great. Derrek is just plain crazy!
OK so here is a funny story in these dorms there were individual apartments. Well my beautiful girls decided to lock me out so that I couldn't tell them to go to bed! Well we had other ideas! Here are Melissa(my co-co from week one) and I breaking into the apartment. It didn't work! Finally after an hour of trying (and not to mention it was 1:30 in the morning) I knocked on there door and told them that I was tired of being nice but would they PLEASE go to bed! I really did love them even if I have extra wrinkles!

I hope that you have enjoyed this session! EFY is so GREAT! I am sad to have only one session left but I am grateful for the sessions that I have had!

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

2008-07-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

I am proud to be an AMERICAN how about you... These pictures are all from our wonderful 4th of July weekend! We will start off with the Kaysville City Parade! Jenna was able to be in it. So that was fun to see her. One of JD's friends came and visited from New York. She went with us to the Parade and really enjoyed the small home town feeling. After the parade we headed up to Bear Lake! YAY We had a lot of fun so many people came up with us. Brooke and her boyfriend Scott came up with us as did Chan, two of JD's friends, and my parents. That night we went down to the Lake and set off fireworks. Scott, Dallas and I put on a really great show! Lots of fireworks. Scott had to run up to the cabin to get the family before the show started so Brooke and I took this as an opportunity to have an impromptu photo shoot!!
We got up bright and early the next day so that we could wake board and spend all day on the Lake it was a blast!
This is my favorite picture! This SANDCASTLE was pretty much the bomb.com! It took us about three hours to put together. We had the architect(Scott), the Designer(ME), and the Landscaper(Colter)! We put bottle rockets all over and set them off that night! It was AMAZING!

A Week On The Water

2008-06-29T22:37:00.001-07:00

Well it was another successful Lake Powell trip. No one was taken to the hospital, no midnight rainstorms, and almost no fights. However there were a few meltdowns by the younger ones. However they mostly happened at night as their parents were rubbing aloe on the sunburns. It was pretty sad listening to all of there cries. This year we went on a lot more boat rides then I remember in the past. We went and swam in the cave, jumped off cliffs, some went hiking, others stayed in the boat and got a tan! It was a pretty great time. Here are the pictures that were taken during the boat rides!
We found this neat little cave. We all got our life jackets on jumped overboard and swam into the cave. It was fun cause we told the little kids that bats lived in there. Who knows maybe they did! After the cave adventure we climbed up on the rock and jumped off and attempted to catch the football. Some succeeded others did not. When the big kids got tired of that they went to find a bigger rock. It was scary watching them especially when Taige decided to not follow through. I thought he was going to die!

Here are Ashton and Bailey looking for seashells, or as Ashton put it SeaChells. Brooke and I were making dinner when we heard this scream. We knew in an instant that it was Ashton. We look out the window and sure enough she is laying upside down in sticker bush. However I was later informed by Ashton herself that she saved her seachells. She didn't lose a one!
More boat ride pictures! I wasn't lying when I said we spent a lot of time in the boat!
Here is my dad wake surfing. It looks really hard. I was going to try it. But after trying to learn to solemn ski. My body had had it. It was tired so I opted for wake boarding instead. Since I already knew how to do that!
Here is a arch that my dad took us too! We went up the most AMAZING canyon. It was simply beautiful. Here is the front of the cave and then the back of the cave. We dropped off some people and they hiked to up to it. Once we got around to the other side I about had heart failure fearing that one of the kids would not stop and just go off the other side. Luckily no one did!

Well I hope this gives you a taste of why I love Lake Powell so much. It is truly my happiest place on earth. The only thing I hate about it is coming home and cleaning up! Seriously no fun so much laundry and stuff to put away and things to catch up on! Oh well I guess that is the price you pay to have fun!

CHANGED MY LIFE

2008-06-21T08:14:00.001-07:00

Ok so I know that I just posted something. However I saw this picture on one of my coco's facebook page and just had to add it. This is my first experience with EFY. This picture is of the whole group on Games Night! I loved this group with all of my heart. These youth were simply amazing and they taught me so much about love, and what it truly means to come unto Christ. As I watched the Spirit take hold of the hearts it was AMAZING. One of the boys named Taylor I thought he was going to be this tough little 14 year old when I first met him but when I saw him on Thursday night and I heard him bare his Testimony that Heavenly Father is there oh it sure did this "mom" proud. I also had two girls who didn't know if Heavenly Father was real but by the end of the week they did and most importantly they knew that he loved them and that they were he is daughters. It was so AMAZING to see these changes take place. It was an experience that will forever stay with me. One that has truly changed my life for the better! I LOVE EFY!!

PS If you are wondering why all of the girls have CRAZY hair it is because Melissa (one of my coco's) decided to do crazy hair night so I went with it and had my girls do my hair and boy was it crazy. If you can't see it take a closer look!

LAKE POWELL OR BUST!

2008-06-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

Well it has been about 3 years since I have last visited my Heaven on Earth! In just a few more days I will be there again. I am so excited. I will take plenty of pictures and share them when I get home. We have been going to Lake Powell ever since I was just a little girl. I love it so much. We first started going with my dad's family. Now that the family is larger than life, we are content to go with a group of close friends. We normally stay over in Slick Rock Canyon were we spend our days soaking up the sun, wake boarding, and playing some mad games of Hand and Foot! I will be thinking of those who are at home reading this blog and wishing that they could be with us! No worries I will make a run on the wake board just for you guys! That is if I can get up it has been a LONG TIME!

WEEK 2 OF EFY!

2008-06-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

Ok here are the pictures that I promised! This week was a lot harder than last week, but I learned so much from it. One of the things that Heavenly Father taught me was that none of His children are alike. He also showed me that each of His children must have a desire to change. Well I think I will run down the week day by day so that you will now what goes on in the life of an EFY counselor!! Hold on tight cause it is CRAZY!
SUNDAY NIGHT: We get to our session check in and then we have a fireside with the session director. After that we meet with our B.C. groups and then it is off to find your co-counselors(my favorite part)! We then go back to our rooms hang our door tags and then it is off to bed. You want as much rest as you can get!
MONDAY: This is the day when the youth come!! YAY. Well the counselors have a meeting then it is off to check-in. This is fun because as counselors you get to see all of the youth who come in. Plus you get to see some of them with their parents. After check-in it is off to meet your counselor! During this portion of the program I get to tell them what I expect of them and they in return get to tell me what they expect of me! I also go over some rules such as the "BIG FIVE"! After all that business is out of the way we go and meet our company. We all get to know each other and then it is off to Orientation, Dinner, FHE Lesson, FHE Games, then Goal Setting. By the time this is all done it is 9:00 and time for Head-Count, Devotional, and then Lights-OUT!
TUESDAY: As a counselor I am up by like 5:30 am so that I can be to a 6:30 am meeting! The youth just have to be ready by seven so that we can have the participant devotional(meaning the youth give the devotional), then its off to breakfast and Gospel Study. After Gospel Study we go to the Session Director Morning side and then it is off to classes, lunch, and more classes. After the last class the youth get free-time (for some counselors this means NAP TIME)! After free-time it is off to Dinner and then to a DANCE!! After the dance it is time for head-count, devotional, and lights out!
WEDNESDAY: This day is the same as Tuesday up until Dinner. BECAUSE after dinner it is time for GAMES and the CHEER OFF!! After games/cheer-off we all head back to our rooms with much anticipation of the pizza that is going to come! WEDNESDAY NIGHT is PIZZA NIGHT. This is when real "GIRL BONDING" takes place. It is a lot of fun. However you can't have PIZZA until head-count and devotional are done. So on this night they are very helpful!!
THURSDAY: This is probably one of my favorite days of the entire week.This is what is known as the Young Womens/Mens activity. Meaning we separate the girls from the boys and they each go off and learn about the Gospel. The youth have to dress up this day and the SPIRIT is just so strong. After the activity it is off to LUNCH and then to the VARIETY SHOW. In 2006 David Archuletta was at EFY and he performed at the Variety Show. I heard it was pretty much amazing. After the variety show it is FREE TIME and then off to dinner. After dinner it is off to a fireside with the session director and then off to TESTIMONY MEETING. I LOVE this part because this is when you really see a SPIRITUAL change in these fine YOUTH of ZION. After testimony meeting it is off to bed but not before devotional!!
FRIDAY: This day starts out the same as any other day with devotional/breakfast/Gospel Study. However after Gospel Study the youth get a DATING MESSAGE from the session director. However at times I think it is more for the counselors! After the dating message the youth learn how to take what they have learned home with them . Then it is off to FSOY! You are all wondering what is FSOY! Well it is For the Strength of You! This is where some of the counselors are assigned to teach the youth how to live the principles that are taught in the FSOY pamphlet! After FSOY it is off to lunch and then to the SERVICE project. This year they are knitting hats it is alot of fun. After service they now have free time which is also used to go and get ready for the banquet/pictures/and the DANCE! After the Dance they show a slide show of the week everyone cries we then sing the EFY melody and everyone cries some more and then it is time to say good-bye so that everyone can get ready to go home the following morning!
Well I hope that this didn't bore you all too much. I love EFY so much I have had so much fun and it seriously makes me so sad that I am not there now. But JD comes home tomorrow and I guess that it is important that I am there. REMEMBER THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

TEN PERCENT

2008-06-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

Well being an EFY counselor you learn alot of things. One of things that I have been made most aware of is that 10% of co-counselors at EFY get married. Well after this last week I have to admit that, that statistic tells the TRUTH! My co-counselor Marc and I fell madly in love and he asked me to marry him Friday night before the banquet. The youth were eating it up. 16-18 year old girls just love all that romance and stuff! We are planning on an October wedding. Hope all of you can make it!
Ok so that is a total lie! While Mark is a good guy I don't think I could marry him. It was just a funny joke. No worries this girl is still single and will be for quite some time! Hope you all have a great day. Oh ya week 2 EFY pictures will be posted this week! Plus I will post pictures from the AIRPORT! Only TWO MORE DAYS YAY!!

SEEING IT THROUGH

2008-06-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

CONGRATS TO DJ AND CHRISTINE CUGLIETTA I have taken a vote (ok mostly with myself) and I have realized that this going to be the BEST SUMMER EVER! Between going to Ohio, EFY, JD coming home (in THREE DAYS), NEW YORK (in August), to top it off DJ & CHRISTINE were SEALED in the Mesa Temple today. I woke up early skipped my EFY business meeting I got on a plane flew to AZ Angie and Nap picked me up took me to the Temple the picked me up again and then dropped me off at the AIRPORT. It was one QUICK trip but it was WAY MORE THAN WORTH IT TO BE THERE. I have been able to see this family through. I was there for both of their BAPTISMS. I added some pictures for a quick trip done memory lane! I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. It shows us how ETERNAL FAMILIES can be a REALITY. SIMPLY AMAZING. I LOVE IT SO MUCH.
Christine's Baptism. August 19th, 2006
DJ's baptism. June 2nd, 2007

EFY SESSION 1A

2008-06-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well I have been out of touch of the blogger world for this last week. To be honest it was quite hard not having a computer to check the blogs to see how everyone was doing. To I have had one of the best weeks of my life. I am an EFY counselor. It was probably the most rewarding job that I have ever had. I get paid to teach kids about the GOSPEL. Simply AMAZING. I started out last Sunday night meeting with our Session Director Brother Anderson he was great. Then we went on to meet our Co-Counselors. I had three Co's. Melissa (she had ten girls), David, & Matt (they each had eight boys). We will now include my eight girls so that gives us a total of 34 youth that we were in charge of. Those kids we are all so amazing I learned so much from them. I loved them all so much. They started out at the beginning of the week with questions. But by the end there Testimonies of the Gospel were ROCK SOLID.
I will see you all next week for I am off for another busy week of EFY!
PS I really need to figure out this collage thing. I don't know why it doubles up on some of my pictures oh well ENJOY!

MY TRIP TO OHIO

2008-05-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to Ohio to visit my cousin Kara and her family. I had so much fun here is a play by play of what I did on my trip!

Monday: I got there at about 4:00 we went to dinner and by the time we got back to there house Korbin her little boy finally warmed up to me (which is a record or so I have heard). That night Korbin wanted to take a rest by me so that is what we did. When it was time for bed Korbin was so mad that he had to go he kept saying "My Jessica" in hopes that I would come and save him.

Tuesday: This is the day we went to Kirtland. It was such a great experience and I got to see so many amazing things pertaining to Church History. I was the Kirtland Temple, the Newel K. Whitney Store (which has the School of the Prophets), I saw some great old houses. It was so amazing and the Spirit was so strong.

Wednesday: We did some serious shopping and then the Missionaries came over for dinner.

Thursday: We went to Amish Country and it was crazy! There clothes out on the line, people in buggies going to Wal-Mart(where they have there own parking) and we ate at Mary Yodders Amish Restaurant where I had a pretty great Grilled Cheese Sandwich on homemade bread.

Friday: We went and toured this amazing cemetery. President Garfield is buried there well not really buried his casket is just laying in a crypt at the bottom of this huge monument. It was pretty cool.

Well after a week of sight seeing and pretty much just hanging out it was time to go home.

Thanks Kara for letting me come and visit! I had a blast. See ya in the summer!

What I Have learned from My Travels...

2008-05-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

Well I have recently returned home from my week long trip to Ohio! I sure had a blast and there will be pictures and info from my trip coming soon. But today as I had a long flight and a layover I had some time to ponder over things that I have learned from my travels.

A list of what I have learned:

1)No matter how many times people are told they still leave liquid in the bags and hold up an entire security check.

2)The security guards in Ohio are not as nice as the security guards in Utah.

3)Even on an hour long fight people are very anxious to get off a plane. Seriously some guy took out a lady saw it with my own eyes.

4)People are very critical of total strangers.

5)Lastly if you are on time for your flight then your plane isn't; and if you are running late for your flight than your plane is on time. Go FIGURE!

I hope you all enjoyed this and look forward to the pictures that will soon come.

HE IS IN THE FINALS!!

2008-05-14T19:59:00.001-07:00

Oh my I am so HAPPY he made it to the finals!! EVERYONE vote next week! PLEASE.

Will He Make It...

2008-05-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

Well I love David Archuletta! So do we think he will make it to the top? If I have anything to do with it then yes he will!

IF ONLY...

2008-05-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

If only this picture could be my fortune(don't know if I spelled that right!) teller! As everyone knows I have declared my love for our wonderful small forward #26 Kyle Korver. Jordynn's friend Channing sent me a picture of this t-shirt yesterday! I thought it was a picture worth sharing!

TWILIGHT MY LOVE!

2008-05-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone LOVES this as much as I did. To be honest it made me swoon! I LOVE EDWARD.
Twilight

JAZZ WIN!

2008-05-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

So Jenna and I were pretty lucky and we scored six tickets to the Jazz Game. It was game six with Jazz leading the series 3-2! All we needed was a win and we will advance to the next round. Well good news is that we won and we are now moving on to the second round to play L.A! As we were walking to the Energy Solutions Arena we saw this sign which is totally making fun of Tracy McGrady! See it says Tracy is a girls name I thought that this was HILARIOUS! Jenna took her friend Taylor and I took a kid named Dustin it was so much fun! We sat on the twentieth row behind the basket. Dustin and I got there early so we walked down to the court and asked a lady to take our picture! It was a great night and the icing on the cake was that the Jazz won 113-91! I said before and I will say it AGAIN beat L.A! One last great thing of the night I got to look at Kyle Korver it was WONDERFUL!

What Princess Are You?

2008-04-28T21:23:00.001-07:00

So I don't know if this is totally accurate. So tell me what you think!

You Are Aurora! (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

ITS ABOUT DARN TIME!

2008-04-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

So my prayers related to American Idol have finally been ANSWERED! Meaning the Kristy Lee Cook has finally GONE HOME! I was so excited and I just can't hide it! Here is the the elimination episode! OK just the last five minutes!

Elder Groban ok not really!

2008-04-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

While on my mission I had a district leader with an AMAZING voice. Well so I think it reminds me of Josh Groban. He is in the process of making a cd and has put a couple of videos on youtube. I like this song the best. If you want to check out more of his music visit www.myspacemusic.com/jaredhalley.

It's DREAM ON for Micheal Johns

2008-04-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well it is bye bye to Micheal Johns the Aussie American Idol contestant! I was SERIOUSLY so sad. I really wanted it to be Kristy Lee Cook. I can't stand her. I can't believe that he went home. It makes me sad but at least David Arculeta is still in and so is JASON CASTRO! Here is the last song that he sang. It was during "insperation" week. He sang Dream On! Bye Bye Micheal I love you!

OH DEER!

2008-04-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well this last weekend I have had my fair share of DEER! First I off I should say how great conference was I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Well my family has a tradition we go up to Bear Lake to watch conference. Well we were running late and had to drop my dad off at the Priesthood Session and then we continued on to our cabin to drop off our stuff and then we headed over to the other side of the lake to go to my Aunt's cabin. Well because of this CRAZY winter there were DEER everywhere. I was paying attention but sometimes those little buggers just decided to jump right out in front of you! Well I try to miss it but the dang thing follows my car the way I went it decided to go. I almost rolled the car. I don't know how I kept it on the road. After all was said and done I am pretty sure that I gave that deer a pretty good hair cut to its left ankle! Well we keep passing deer left and right for the next two days. Yesterday I look out the window and those blasted animals are eating our newly planted hay field in front of my house. I couldn't believe it. So I went out there and took some pictures first and then scared them away. I have learned that I must not be that scary because they came back!

I CARRIED A WATERMELON...

2008-03-31T20:52:00.001-07:00

So the other day I was talking to this really cute kid! I was so wrapped up in the fact that he was even talking to me that I said the dumbest thing. I kind of felt how Baby felt in Dirty Dancing when she says "I CARRIED A WATERMELON"! I guess you will just have to watch the clip to see the embarrassment in her face! I love this movie it is a true classic! Remember to pause my playlist so that you can get the full effect!

Benefit Diner

2008-03-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

On Friday night my parents made us go to this benefit dinner where my dad had bought a table. It was a black and white party. It was a lot of fun getting ready. Jenna, Jordynn and I only stayed for dinner. The main reason that we went was because my aunt Marie was in charge of selling tables.

My sisters and I.

This is us girls with our Aunt Marie!